Awakening students' minds to Einstein, gravity and the solar system

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Abstract

This research investigated the effectiveness of educational programmes at the Gravity Discovery Centre (GDC), a science outreach centre in Western Australia. Three case studies explored how students learnt concepts including: a) aspects of Einstein's theory of general relativity through an experiential outreach programme; b) size and scale through a solar system walk in a bush setting; and, c) gravity by conducting experiments from a 45-metre tower. Mixed methods of data collect ion and analysis indicated that the programmes did enable conceptual learning and engaged the students in science. Findings are represented in a Model of Student Outreach Centre Engagement.